Barrier system and method of assembling the same

ABSTRACT

A barrier system is provided including at least one upright barrier member and one or more cable means associated with said at least one upright barrier member. The one or more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at least one barrier member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Application UK 1205115,7 filed Mar. 23, 2012, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a barrier system, and particularly but not necessarily exclusively to a barrier system designed for substantially absorbing or reducing the energy, speed and/or movement of an object, such as a vehicle, impacting therewith. The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a barrier system.

It is known to provide safety barriers on the edges of roads, such as between dual carriageways on a motorway for example, to reduce or limit the movement or speed of a vehicle on impact therewith. This prevents or reduces the likelihood of a vehicle impacting with the barrier and crossing onto an opposite carriageway or travelling off the road. It is also known to provide barrier systems for security purposes to prevent entry of an unauthorised vehicle, object or person into a particular locality.

Conventional safety barriers can come in many different shapes and forms. An example of one such safety barrier includes an upright plastic member which provides a crash surface for the barrier. A plurality of upright plastic members are joined together in an end to end manner to provide an elongate barrier structure. An individual cable element is provided along the top of each upright member section to provide a degree of longitudinal strength to the barrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an alternative and improved barrier system.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a method of using or assembling an alternative and improved barrier system.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier system, said barrier system including at least one upright barrier member and one or more cable means associated with said at least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one or more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at least one barrier member.

Preferably the one or more cable means are substantially parallel to, overlapping with and/or adjacent with a crash or impact surface of the barrier system.

Preferably the one or more cable means are provided a spaced distance below a top surface and/or above a base surface of the at least one barrier member.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier system, said barrier system including at least one upright barrier member and wherein two or more cable means are associated with said at least one upright barrier member.

By providing two or more cable means associated with the upright barrier member, this provides the barrier system with improved strength, whilst providing a low cost barrier system.

Preferably the cable means are arranged to provide improved strength in a substantially longitudinal or horizontal axis of the barrier system.

In one embodiment the at least one upright barrier member is provided with a base surface and a top surface and at least one of the cable means is provided substantially parallel to the base and/or top surface. Preferably the two or more cable means are provided substantially parallel to the base surface, top surface, to each other and/or to at least one of the cable means.

In one embodiment at least one of the cable means is provided substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier member or barrier system. Preferably the two or more cable means are provided substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier member or system.

Preferably the longitudinal axis of the cable means is substantially transverse and preferably substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis or upright portion of the barrier member.

Preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced distance apart from each other on the barrier member. Further preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced distance apart from each other in the vertical axis of the barrier member.

Preferably the two or more cable means are provided a spaced distance apart from an external surface of the barrier member. Further preferably the two or more cables are provided a spaced distance apart from an external side wall of the barrier member.

Preferably the cable means are provided a spaced distance above or below a base edge or a top edge of the barrier member respectively.

In a preferred embodiment three cable means are provided. Preferably each cable means is provided a spaced distance apart from each other on the barrier member. Further preferably each cable means is provided substantially parallel to each other, to a base surface and/or a top surface of the barrier member.

In one embodiment the barrier system includes two or more barrier members joined in an end to end manner to form an elongate barrier structure.

The two or more barrier members can be joined together via any suitable joining means or mechanism, such as any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more nuts and bolts, screws, clips, spigot/socket formation, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

Preferably the two or more barrier members are joined together in an end to end manner (i.e. one end of a barrier member is joined to an end of a further barrier member).

Preferably the cable means are provided across or span the two or more barrier members. Thus, in this embodiment, the barrier system is provided with increased strength and rigidity across a number of barrier components forming the barrier system. The cable means are preferably provided substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the joined barrier members.

In a preferred embodiment each cable means spans at least 5 or 6 barrier members.

Preferably attachment means or mechanism are provided on or associated with one or more of the barrier members and/or cable means to allow attachment of the cable means to the barrier means in use.

Preferably the attachment means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the one or more barrier members.

Preferably the cable means are attached at intermediate locations or adjacent their ends via attachment means or mechanism to the one or more barrier members at spaced apart intervals. For example, in one embodiment the spaced apart interval of attachment or end cable attachment is 72 m but any suitable distance could be provided, such as at least one point on every barrier member and/or the like.

The attachment means can include any or any combination of one or more brackets, clips, collets, apertures, recesses, channels, slots, inter-engaging members, plates, flanges, welding, adhesive, nuts and bolts and/or the like.

Preferably support means or mechanism are provided on or associated with one or more of the barrier members to allow support of the cable means relative to the barrier members in use.

Preferably the support means is provided on or associated with one or more side walls of one or more of the barrier members.

The support means can include any or any combination of one or more brackets, clips, apertures, recesses, slots, channels, inter-engaging members, plates, flanges, brackets, welding, adhesive, nuts and bolts and/or the like.

In one embodiment the support means includes a bracket, flange and/or plate.

Preferably the support means, bracket, flange and/or plate is provided on a side wall of one or more of the barrier members.

Preferably the support means, bracket or plate has at least one channel or slot defined therein. A cable means is typically located in the channel or slot to allow the cable means to be supported or retained in a particular position with respect to the barrier member in use.

Preferably the channel or slot has two or more spaced apart recesses defined therein. The opening of the recesses typically opens into the channel or slot. The two or more recesses can allow different location or movement of the cable means depending on the direction of movement of cable means following an impact of an object or vehicle with the barrier member. For example, one of the recesses can be used for location of the cable means in normal use of the barrier member. At least one other of the recesses can be used for location of or movement of the cable means therein following an impact of an object or vehicle with the barrier member and/or cable means. Thus, in one example, the cable means is movable from one of the recesses to another of the recesses following impact of a vehicle or object with the barrier system.

Preferably the two or more recesses are provided a spaced distance apart in the vertical and/or horizontal axis. For example, the recesses could be off set from each other, substantially aligned or non-aligned, or could be substantially opposite to each other.

Preferably at least two of the two or more recesses are provided on opposite sides of the channel or slot.

In one embodiment the support means, bracket or plate has two or more channels or slots for supporting the two or more cable means in use. Preferably the two or more channels or slots are spaced apart in a substantially vertical axis in use.

Preferably the support means, bracket or plate has three channels or slots for supporting three cable means in use. Further preferably the three channels or slots are spaced apart in a substantially vertical axis in use.

Preferably each channel or slot has at least one opening defined in the support means, bracket or plate to allow the cable means to be inserted therein in use.

Preferably the channel or slot has a first portion and at least a second portion. The first portion is typically associated with the opening of the channel or slot.

Preferably the second portion is associated with a blind or closed end of the channel or slot.

Preferably the first portion of the channel or slot is provided substantially transverse to and further preferably substantially perpendicular to the second portion of the channel or slot.

The first and second portions of the channel or slot are typically in communication with or continuous with each other.

The barrier member can be formed from any or any combination of material, such as wood, metal, plastic and/or the like. Preferably the barrier member is formed from or includes steel.

The cable means can be formed from any or any combination of material, such as metal, plastic and/or the like. Preferably the cable means is formed from or includes steel.

The cable means can include any or any combination of elongate material, such one or more ropes, cables, wire, chain, strands and/or the like. The cable means can include a single cable member or a plurality of cable members that are twisted, intertwined, platted, abutting with each other, adjacent to each other and/or the like.

The barrier member can be provided in any suitable size, shape and/or design. For example, the barrier member can have any suitable cross sectional profile. In a preferred embodiment the barrier member has a stepped or tapered profile (i.e. at least one step or taper is provided on a side wall of the barrier member between a top and base surface of the barrier member).

Preferably the cable means are provided on, adjacent to or overlapping with the tapered or stepped surface of the barrier member.

One or more of the barrier members can have one or more upper elements associated with or attached to the same. The one or more upper elements can be provided to further delineate two sides or regions of the barrier members. The upper elements can be in any suitable form, such as one or more panels, mesh or grille members, fence members and/or the like.

Preferably the one or more upper elements extend upwardly above a top surface of one or more of the barrier members.

Preferably at least one crash or impact surface is defined on an outer surface of the barrier member. The crash or impact surface is typically arranged so as to reduce or limit the affect of impact of a moving object or vehicle therewith, and to dissipate the energy from said impact. Further preferably the at least one crash surface is provided on a side wall of the barrier member. The side wall is typically provided between a base and top wall or edge of the barrier member.

The at least one crash surface and/or side wall of the barrier member can be or can include a substantially vertical surface, angled surface, concave surface, convex surface, W-shape and/or the like.

In one embodiment at least one of the cable means are provided at, overlapping with or adjacent said at least one crash or impact surface. Preferably at least two of the cable means are provided at, overlapping with or adjacent said at least one crash or impact surface.

Preferably the cable means are provided at or adjacent an external surface of the barrier member. However, it will be appreciated that the cable means could be provided internally of the barrier member if required.

The barrier member can be substantially hollow, substantially solid or a combination thereof. In one embodiment the cable means are provided in an internal cavity of one or more of the barrier members.

The barrier member can be free standing or can be secured to a ground surface on which it is located in use via securing means. The securing means can include any or any combination of welding, concrete, adhesive, one or more pins, nuts and bolts, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

Preferably the base of the barrier member is located on a ground surface in use and further preferably the base of the barrier means is secured to the ground surface via the securing means.

Two or more barrier members can be connected together in an end to end manner via connection means. The connection means can include any or any combination of one or more nuts and bolts, screws, welding, adhesive, inter-engaging members, plates, complementary spigot and socket formation and/or the like.

In one embodiment locking means are provided on or associated with or towards a free end of the cable means for locking the cable means to one or more of the barrier members in use. For example, the locking means could include any or any combination of a collet, inter-engaging members, clip and/or the like.

In one embodiment the barrier system and/or a barrier member can be provided with an end barrier section for use in securing one or more of the cable means thereto in use.

In one embodiment the end barrier section includes a base portion and an outer sleeve portion. The base portion can be attached to, detachably attached to or integral with an end wall of a barrier member. The outer sleeve portion can be attached to, detachably attached to or integral with the base portion.

Preferably the outer sleeve portion has an outwardly extending flange with one or more apertures defined therein through which one or more of the cable means are located in use. Locking means can be used to lock the cable means to the flange or adjacent the flange in use. Preferably the flange is provided substantially vertically or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the barrier system.

In one embodiment one or more ribs are provided between a side wall and the outwardly extend flange of the outer sleeve portion. Preferably a plurality of ribs are provided at spaced apart intervals on the flange and a cable means is located between two spaced apart ribs.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a barrier system, said method including the steps of attaching one or more cable means to at least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one or more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at least one barrier member.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an end section or portion for use with a barrier system.

The barrier system of the present invention can be used for any application where a barrier is required to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a person, animal, vehicle or object and/or the like from passing from one location to another location. In a preferred embodiment the barrier system is used as a vehicle barrier system to limit or prevent travel of a vehicle from one locality to another locality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barrier system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part of the barrier system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part of the barrier system in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the support means shown in the barrier system in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end section of a barrier member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 a-6 c show a left perspective view, a right perspective view and an end view of the barrier member in FIG. 5 respectively; and

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the end section of the barrier member in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a barrier system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The barrier system 2 includes a plurality of upright barrier members 4 joined together in an end to end manner to form a substantially elongate barrier, as shown in FIG. 1.

Each barrier member 4 typically comprises a base surface 6, a top surface 8, side walls 10, 12 and end walls 14. In this embodiment, the base and top surfaces 6, 8 are substantially planar surfaces, although it will be appreciated that one or more accessories or attachments can be located on or associated with either surface in use. The side walls 10, 12 are stepped and each includes a lower side wall section 11 and an upper side wall section 13 with a step 15 defined between the two portions. The lower side wall section 11 has a larger cross sectional width to that of the upper side wall section 13. The side walls of the upper side wall section 13 have a narrowing taper from base surface 6 end towards top surface 8 end. The base surface 6 is located on a ground surface 16 on which the barrier is to be located in use. The side walls 10, 12 of the barrier members typically act as crash or impact surfaces of the barrier system. Thus, the side walls are arranged so as to reduce the affect of an impact of a moving object therewith, such as for example a vehicle, and to dissipate the energy from said impact.

Securing means in the form of pins (not shown) are used to secure each barrier member to the ground surface or a plurality of barrier members to a ground surface (i.e.

secure every ‘n’ barrier member, where n=integer). In one example, the barrier members are secured at 72 m intervals or when the barrier members undergo a change in direction. Connection means in the form of nuts and bolts 18 are used to engage adjacent barrier members 4 together in an end to end manner, such that end walls 14 of adjacent barrier members are in abutment with each other.

In accordance with the present invention, cable means are provided to increase the strength and rigidity of the barrier system along the longitudinal axis thereof (i.e. in a substantially horizontal axis, as shown by arrow X). In this embodiment, the cable means comprises three cables 20, 22, 24 which are a spaced distance apart in the vertical axis (i.e. between base surface 6 and top surface 8). Each cable 20, 22, 24 is substantially parallel to each other and to the top and base surfaces 8, 6 of the barrier members. The cables are a spaced distance above the base edge 6 and a spaced distance below the top edge 8 in this embodiment).

More particularly, cables 20, 22 are provided adjacent but a small spaced distance apart from the upper side wall portion 13 of the barrier member and cable 24 is provided adjacent but a small spaced distance apart from the lower side wall portion 11. In the illustrated embodiment the cables 20-24 are provided on one side only of the barrier member but they could be provided on both sides of the barrier member if required.

The cables 20-24 typically span 5 or more barrier members, thereby providing longitudinal strength to the barrier system over a number of barrier components. This is in contrast to the prior art wherein a single cable is provided over a single barrier component.

Attachment means in the form of an attachment plate 26 is provided at the ends of a section of a plurality of barrier members (i.e. in this embodiment adjacent the ends walls of the 1^(st) and 10^(th) barrier, as shown in FIG. 1) to attach the cables 20-24 to the barrier system. The attachment plate 26 is bolted to a side wall 10, top surface 8 and bottom surface 6 of the barrier members in such a manner that it protrudes outwardly of side wall 10. The longitudinal axis of the plate is substantially parallel to the vertical axis. Three apertures (not shown) are defined in the plate 26 at spaced apart intervals along the vertical axis thereof (i.e. between the upper surface 8 and base surface 6). The ends of a cable 20-24 are located through an aperture on plate 26 and are locked in position using a collet 29.

Support means in the form of a support plate 28 is provided on each barrier member 4 to support the cables 20-24 in position with respect to the barrier member. Although only one support plate 28 is provided per barrier in the illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated that any number of support plates, or even no support plates, can be provided on one or more of the barrier members as required. The support plate 28 is bolted to a side wall 10, top surface 8 and base surface 6 of the barrier member in such a manner that is protrudes outwardly of side wall 10. The longitudinal axis of the plate 28 is substantially parallel to the vertical axis. Three slots 30 are defined in the plate 28 at spaced apart intervals along the vertical axis thereof (i.e. between the upper surface 8 and base surface 6). The slots are arranged so as to prevent the cable becoming detached from the barrier member or slots in use.

Each slot 30 typically has a first substantially horizontal slot portion 32 with an opening 34 defined adjacent the edge 36 of plate 28, and a second substantially vertical slot portion 38 with a blind end 40. An end 44 of the first slot portion 32 substantially opposite opening 34 is joined to and end of the second slot portion 38 opposite the blind end 40. First and second recesses 46, 48 are provided in opposite side walls of vertical slot portion 38. Recesses 46, 48 are not aligned and are spaced apart in the vertical axis (i.e. recess 46 is nearer to end 44 and recess 48 is nearer to end 42). The first recess 46 typically supports the cable in normal use. The second recess 48 typically supports the cable following an impact of an object or vehicle with the barrier/cable. Thus, two cable recesses are provided for each cable support slot to allow the cable to be supported depending on the direction of movement of the cable following an impact (i.e. it allows the cable to be supported following impact in at least two different directions of the side walls of the barrier member). The cables are typically fitted to the slots by inserting the cable through the opening of the slot and twisting the cables into one of the recesses in the vertical section of the slot portion.

Each cable 20-24 is typically formed from a steel cable and provides a cost effective design which adds strength and rigidity to the barrier system.

In the illustrated embodiment each barrier member is typically formed from steel but it will be appreciated that other materials could be used if required.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, there is illustrated an end section 100 of a barrier member 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The end section 100 includes a base portion 102 that is joined to or is integral with an end barrier member 4, and an outer cover portion 104. The base portion 102 includes a base 106, side walls 108, 110 and an end wall 112. The side walls 108, 110 protrude outwardly from end wall 14 of barrier member 4. The upper edges 114 of side walls 108, 110 and end wall 112 define an opening 116 to base portion 102. The base portion 102 can optionally be secured to a floor surface on which the barrier member 4 is used via any suitable base attachment means 118.

The outer cover portion 104 has a similar or substantially the same cross sectional profile as the end 14 of barrier member 4. Cover portion 104 has a top surface 120, side walls 122, 124 and an end wall 126, and it locates over base portion 102 when assembled. The base of cover portion 104 has an outwardly extending flange 128 that has spaced apart apertures 129 defined therein for the location of attachment means in the form of bolts 130 in this example. The bolts 130 and nuts (not shown) are used to secure the outer cover portion 104 to a floor surface on which the barrier system 2 is used. A plurality of spaced apart apertures 132 are defined in side walls 122, 124 and end wall 126 towards the base of cover portion 104 and attachment means in the form of nuts and bolts 134 in this example are used to join the outer cover portion 104 to the base portion 102. Apertures 136 are defined in the side walls 108, 110 and end wall 112 of the base portion 102 at suitable positions which are substantially aligned with apertures 132 of the cover portion 104 when assembled to allow the bolts 134 to pass through both sets of apertures 132, 136 when fitted.

On one of the side walls 124 there is an outwardly protruding flange 138 arranged substantially vertically (or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis) of the barrier system 2). In the illustrated example, the flange 138 extends from side wall 124 adjacent end 140 which locates with end 14 of the barrier member 4. The flange 138 has spaced apart apertures 142 defined therein for the location of cables 20, 22, 24 therethrough in use. A collet 29 can be used to lock the cables in place on the flange 138.

Outwardly protruding ribs 144 are provided between side wall 124 and flange 138 at spaced apart intervals along the vertical axis of the outer cover portion 104. Ribs 144 provide strength and rigidity to the flange 138 and also act as separation means for the cables 20, 22, 24, particularly during impact of the barrier system 2 with an object or vehicle.

The end section is used to provide a secure end fixing for the cables 20, 22, 24 of the barrier system in one embodiment. 

What is claimed:
 1. A barrier system, said barrier system including at least one upright barrier member and one or more cable means associated with said at least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one or more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at least one barrier member.
 2. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the one or more cable means are substantially parallel to, adjacent to and/or overlapping with a crash surface, impact surface or longitudinal axis of the barrier system.
 3. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein at least two spaced apart cable means are associated with said at least one upright barrier member.
 4. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein the barrier system includes two or more upright barrier members joined together via joining means in an end to end manner to form an elongate barrier structure.
 5. A barrier system according to claim 4 wherein the joining means includes any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more nuts and bolts, screws, clips, spigot/socket arrangement or inter-engaging members.
 6. A barrier system according to claim 4 wherein the cable means are provided across or span the two or more barrier members.
 7. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein attachment means are provided on or associated with the cable means and/or one or more of the barrier members to allow attachment of the cable means to the barrier members.
 8. A barrier system according to claim 7 wherein the attachment means can include any or any combination of one or more brackets, clips, collets, apertures, recesses, channels, slots, inter-engaging members, plates, flanges, welding, adhesive or nuts and bolts.
 9. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein support means are provided on or associated with one or more of the barrier members to allow support of the cable means relative to the barrier members in use.
 10. A barrier system according to claim 9 wherein the support means can include any or any combination of one or more brackets, clips, collets, apertures, recesses, channels, slots, inter-engaging members, plates, brackets, flanges, welding, adhesive or nuts and bolts.
 11. A barrier system according to claim 9 wherein the support means is in the form of a bracket, plate and/or flange and at least one channel or slot is defined therein for the location of a cable means.
 12. A barrier system according to claim 11 wherein the channel or slot has two or more spaced apart recesses defined therein to allow the cable means to be moved to one of two or more different positions.
 13. A barrier system according to claim 11 wherein the channel or slot has a first portion provided substantially transverse or substantially perpendicular to a second portion of the channel or slot, an opening provided in the first portion for location of the cable means therein in use and the second portion having a blind or closed end.
 14. A barrier system according to claim 1 wherein one or more of the barrier members are provided with an end portion including a base portion and an outer sleeve portion.
 15. A barrier system according to claim 14 wherein the outer sleeve portion has at least one outwardly protruding flange and one or more ends of the cable are attached to said flange.
 16. A barrier system according to claim 15 wherein the at least one outwardly protruding flange is provided adjacent a side wall of the outer sleeve portion and one or more rib members are provided between the outwardly protruding flange and the side wall of the outer sleeve portion.
 17. A method of assembling a barrier system, said method including the steps of attaching one or more cable means to at least one upright barrier member, and wherein said one or more cable means are provided on or associated with one or more side walls of the at least one barrier member. 